support, fill out (forms), file (a form/tax return), supply (information), pay (taxes/child support), comply with law, obey (laws), respond (to a subpoena), obtain (building permit/parade permit), report (crime), serve (jury duty), respond to (census), register (vehicle), license (one's vehicle/gun)
register, protest, formalize, annul, patent, fill out (forms), petition, marry, divorce, vote, appoint, legalize, consent, file (forms), name (one's baby), wed, divide (an estate), adopt (a child), foster (a child), request (documents), apply for (veteran's benefits), contest (a parking ticket), provide (information), retain counsel, record a deed, report crime, address (city council), consult (an attorney)
contract, formalize, guarantee, assign, cosign, make a deal, reach (a binding agreement), enter into (a binding agreement), negotiate (a deal), document (an agreement), sign (contract), execute (contract), breach (contract), enforce (contract), amend (agreement), cancel (agreement), rescind (a contract), void (agreement), perform (agreement), modify (contract), draft (non-disclosure agreement), covenant
snatch, expel, deport, remove, infiltrate, hide, follow, watch, conceal, capture, cover up, shroud, paper over, pit, investigate, spy, expose, trick, exploit, inform, hand over, obfuscate, propagandize, eavesdrop, target, subvert, intervene, undermine, hunt down, depose, search, encrypt, take out, disclose, dispatch, kidnap, criminalize, decriminalize, bug, assassinate, spy on, surveil, interfere with/in, promote (one's agenda), carry out (a coup), render (extraordinary rendition), break off (relations), interrogate, overthrow, lock up (terrorists), imprison, arrest, extradite, take (prisoner), gather (intelligence), tail, wiretap, tap (phone), listen in (on conversations), protect (state secrets), bring to light, blow whistle, suppress (information/a movement), keep under wraps, decode, orchestrate (a covert operation), swoop
file, settle, bargain, arbitrate, litigate, appear, represent, oppose, admit, justify, maintain, appeal, defend (oneself), contest, counter, prove, plead, mediate, request, swear (to tell the truth), build a case, discover (evidence), impeach, file a motion, move to, consult with (one's lawyer), perjure, comply with (court rules)
file, bargain, discover, represent, turn, oppose, admit, justify, maintain, appeal, defend, contest, counter, prove, swear (to tell the truth), raise (one's right hand), impeach, obey, file a motion, move to, consult with (one's lawyer), perjure, comply with (court rules), appear (at one's arraignment), seek (counsel), post bail, skip bail, serve time, ask to be released on one's own recognizance, jump bail, take the fifth, refuse to answer, plea-bargain, plead (guilty/no contest), confess, maintain (one's innocence), incriminate (oneself)
bash, lie, pull out, organize, strut, throng, parade, strategize, vet, advertise, back, fundraise, expose, market, libel, slander, polarize, stump, field, withdraw, debate, enlist, predict, leverage, cater to, pander, campaign, prognosticate, disparage, endorse, entrust, declare, smear, hold forth, nominate, barnstorm, canvass, go on the hustings, stand for office, electioneer, form (a committee), outmaneuver, poll, run for, flood the airwaves, pay for, phone-bank, leaflet, post (signs), poster, plaster (a wall with posters), defame (one's opponent), traduce, caucus, announce (candidacy), end (campaign), disband (committee/campaign), distribute (flyers/buttons)
beat, count, suppress, recall, tie, liveblog, monitor, celebrate, rout, impede, obstruct, defeat, stand down, declare, validate, recount, hold forth, throw in the towel, vote, canvass, poll, take (office), take (oath), split (the vote), step up/down, swear in, seat, count (ballots), edge out, win, concede (defeat), announce (winner), phonebank (to get out the vote), get out the vote, crown, write in (candidate's name), trounce
organize, strategize, plan, subvert, obstruct, structure, run (a campaign), support, buy, endorse, redistrict, disclose, gerrymander, poll, rig (elections), fix (an election), write (speeches), prepare (for debate), draft (speech), form (campaign committee), hire (consultants/speechwriters), tour, lock out (voters), donate (large sum to a pac), contribute (funds/time), refuse to endorse, suppress (the vote), recruit (candidates/volunteers), war-game, research (the opposition)
position, signal, strengthen, negotiate, compromise, arbitrate, convene, reward, suggest, recall, size up, join, formalize, associate, finesse, orchestrate, risk, deflect, intervene, decipher, exchange, debate, regulate, facilitate, translate, exempt, broker, assign, obligate, de-escalate, host, confer, counter, ally, rectify, ratify, sanction, defer to, conference, post (ambassador at an embassy), appoint (consul), dispatch (envoy), staff (an embassy), formalize (an agreement), come to an agreement, come to an impasse, manage (a tense situation), sever (diplomatic relations), disarm, mediate, meet, parley, hammer out (an agreement), repatriate, discuss
strengthen, negotiate, protest, bargain, compromise, surrender, size up, associate, hand over, bluff, finesse, risk, subvert, resign, deflect, decipher, give up, tread lightly, manage to, translate, repay, sour, de-escalate, host, invite, resist, counter, ally, strong-arm, interpret, bluster, mollify, plead, decode, come to an agreement, come to an impasse, disarm, assuage (concerns), accept (terms), request, attempt to (oust), refuse (to cave)
force, encircle, boycott, subject, condition, dominate, bear down, threaten, demarcate, block, restrict, cut off, obstruct, ban, take over, leverage, demand, mandate, confront, intimidate, scare, levy, refuse, redress, counter, rectify, police, sanction, blockade, alert, dispatch, retaliate, insist, embargo, interdict, issue (demands/warning), impose (sanctions), escalate (tensions), remove (foreign aid), withhold (military assistance), outlaw, assert (one's leverage)
hack, slash, bust, analyze, lower, earmark, saddle, budget, control, appropriate, nix, burden, deadlock, consider, abstain, debate, regulate, fund, bankroll, rein in, bank, privatize, pay down (debt), rack up (debt), repeal, defund, pay back/out, pass (budget), balance (the budget), reduce (deficit/spending), enact, raise (debt ceiling), reform (taxes), amend (budget), provide (funds), vote
contract, raise, parcel out, lower, establish, dole out, earmark, condition, distribute, dissipate, back, control, funnel, appropriate, orchestrate, waste, assess, evaluate, regulate, allocate, outsource, finance, fund, subsidize, mandate, grant, allot, pay out, spend, loan, credit, sponsor, privatize, lend, dispense, apportion, politicize, give, scale back/down/up, guarantee (a loan), put in place, cut off (funding)
rise, rally, assist, chant, criticize, benefit, volunteer, praise, help, instill, salute, fight for, vote, support (one's country), serve (jury duty/military duty), enlist (in the military), defend (one's country), participate in, improve (one's nation), take pride in, do one's bit for, work toward, contribute to, pitch in, pay (taxes/respects), buy (war bonds), exhort, sing (one's national anthem), pledge allegiance, show (the flag), wave (a flag), display (a flag), wear (uniform/lapel flag), boycott (foreign products), feel (pride/belonging), take up (cause/arms)
manipulate, suppress, contain, infiltrate, dictate, hide, dominate, attack, conceal, cover up, subdue, spy, command, control, exploit, whitewash, spirit away, censor, silence, repress, execute, subjugate, marginalize, confront, corrupt, intimidate, purge, compel, stamp out, torture, lock up, squelch (dissent), rig (election), bug, accuse, order (surveillance), obstruct (access to press), crush (dissent), quash (dissent), squelch (a movement for change), perpetrate, tyrannize, keep down, incarcerate, put out of sight, shroud (in secrecy), veil (in secrecy), put under house arrest, assassinate, blacklist
pollute, forge, bribe, counterfeit, gamble, burglarize, defraud, perjure, extort, breaking and entering, trespass, possess (a controlled substance without a prescription), sell (illegal drugs), sell (cigarettes/alcohol to a minor), smuggle (immigrants across a border), pimp, assemble (illegally), impersonate (a police officer), lie (under oath), drive (under the influence of controlled substances), commit (arson/malicious mischief), threaten (to commit a terrorist act), dump (a hazardous substance)
wipe, dispose of, seal, suppress, conceal, mask, disguise, obliterate, obscure, burn, muffle, erase, resort to, cover over/up, withhold, stifle, hide (evidence), expunge, code, encode, hold in/back, tear up (documents), tuck away, delete (emails), eliminate (paper trail), suppress (information), efface, shred (evidence), tamper with (evidence)
discharge, litigate, appear, recall, retract, resign, withdraw, argue, dispute, brief, codify, appeal, sponsor, stonewall, repeal, foster, contest, counter, try, prove, testify, appoint, legalize, seat, cross-examine, impeach, adjourn, remand, represent (a fact to be true), represent (a client), present (evidence), pass (on a prospective juror), step down, author, forswear, answer (a charge), call (a witness to the stand), comply with (rules of ethics), support (an argument)
order, certify, arbitrate, scrutinize, award, implicate, invalidate, suspend, tax, prohibit, deny, deliberate, consider, designate, authorize, judge, release, compensate, overturn, expunge, redress, rule, appoint, swear in, extradite, notify, exonerate, acquit, vindicate, impanel, preside, grant (motion/request), sustain (objection), adjudicate, slam down (the gavel), stay (an execution), hear (testimony/a case), arraign, revoke (an order), instruct (jurors), issue (a search warrant), hold (a trial), seal (evidence from public view), consolidate (cases), consent, award (damages), reinterpret, abrogate, remand, intone, robe
order, overhaul, assemble, draw up, negotiate, compromise, lead, reward, advance, modify, alter, direct, orchestrate, nix, rescind, invalidate, filibuster, delay, prohibit, reject, deadlock, verify, deliberate, consider, table, defer, limit, abstain, debate, regulate, delegate, authorize, codify, pander, phase out, privatize, assign, revise, change, veto, abolish, override, reform, confer, pronounce, rule, rectify, author (a bill), legislate, ratify, vote, pass (laws), ram through, put a hold on (a bill), approve (a bill), amend (law/bill/statute), repeal (a law), enact (a law), protect (interests of one's constituents or donors), finesse (issue), safeguard, criminalize, decriminalize, kill (a bill), legalize, guide (legislation through congress), advocate, close (debate), raise a point of order, conference, mark up, shut down (the government)
yank, score, probe, supervise, appraise, scan, study, scrutinize, examine, investigate, size up, vet, hammer out, review, squelch, deny, assess, consider, evaluate, comply, rethink, staff, advise, oversee, approve, critique, criticize, judge, grant, rate, brief, allot, guide, confer, deem, confirm, ratify, sanction, re-evaluate, pass (a law/resolution), revoke (approval), grade (compliance), step up (frequency of inspections), back off, look into, find fault with, re-appraise, reconsider, re-examine, revisit, take another look at, subpoena (records), quash (shady activity)
negotiate, organize, threaten, suggest, represent, promote, market, convince, persuade, target, pressure, enlist, steward, cajole, circulate, enumerate, champion, complain, schmooze, petition, testify, plead, advocate, argue (one's position), present (one's position to a government official), protect (interests), urge, fight for (an issue), publicize (a client's position), work the room, conscientize, reiterate, write off (a congressman as unsympathetic), book (an appointment), appeal to (a lawmaker)
settle, bargain, arbitrate, litigate, appear, examine, represent, deny, oppose, admit, maintain, lose, appeal, contest, counter, prove, win, mediate, request, sue, register (a complaint), build a case, collect (damages), file (a motion/trial brief), move to (exclude evidence), move for (summary judgment), discover (evidence), perjure (oneself), cross-examine, impeach, comply with, obey
seize, bust, choke, drag, pick up, hold, contain, question, chase, restrain, catch, frisk, stake out, watch, capture, profile, examine, investigate, book, pressure, stop, speed, impound, grill, search, warn, lock up, incarcerate, surveil, interrogate, imprison, arrest, keep watch on, detain, handcuff, holster, fingerprint, apprehend, confiscate, pull over, write (a ticket), breathalyze, tase, deputize, jail, take (into custody), keep (in custody), cuff, throw away the keys, advise (suspect of rights/charge), read (miranda warnings), frogmarch, overuse (force), maintain (safety)
punch, club, pummel, skim, shoot, kick, frame, kill, profile, set up, abuse, escalate, sample, slur, detain, tase, tarnish one's badge, use excessive force, falsely arrest, beat up, violate (one's civil rights), use a racial slur, take a bribe, sic a dog (on someone), tamper with evidence, overuse (force)
contract, negotiate, scrutinize, investigate, formalize, cancel, rescind, oversee, regulate, patent, privatize, levy, reform, abate, confer, redress, deregulate, sign (bills into law), veto (legislation), command (the military), enforce (laws), execute (law), nominate, appoint, vet (an appointee), declare (a disaster), certify (a terrorist organization), defer to (congress), subpoena (records/witnesses)
appraise, chase, sense, prick up, recall, suspect, witness, pick out, identify, piece together, snitch, inform, divulge, filch, alarm, intuit, report, corroborate, testify, indicate, distrust, accuse, swear (to tell the truth), opine, raise (one's right hand), tip off (police), cast (doubt), peach, attest, detect (inconsistencies in a story), alert (the police), notify, uncover, lay blame on, come forward, incriminate
dislodge, stiffen, forge, solicit, lead, restrain, climb, fend off, represent, direct, mastermind, deflect, ward off, stave off, enlist, advise, succeed, outdo, outstrip, mobilize, rival, displace, found, distinguish (oneself), contest, rebuff, take on, fight for, surmount, rely on, swear in, summon, supersede, outrank, circumvent, count (among one's cohorts), drive (oneself), stake (a claim), establish (oneself), prove (capable), prove (oneself), arm, advance (an agenda), empower (aids), drive (others)
clobber, dislodge, oust, invade, commandeer, bribe, bluff, backstab, sabotage, scheme, put at risk, subvert, usurp, hijack, parry, take over, monopolize, take advantage of, conquer, step on, battle, corrupt, depose, overthrow, attempt to (oust), dredge up, mudsling, work up (fear/xenophobia), consort with, seize (power)
turn toward, brace, rise, gird, assemble, brave, solicit, rocket, train, strategize, face, funnel, risk, dare, formulate, gain, mobilize, skyrocket, discipline, step up, hone, envision, contest, determine, prepare, lobby, upstage, ready, soldier on, muster, strive, surmount, set off/about, count (among one's cohorts), apply one's skills, aspire, grasp (what one's constituency wants)
shunt, turn over, parcel out, direct, tax, staff, enlist, delegate, allocate, demand, brief, assign, dispense, apportion, entrust, accord, portion out, farm out, request, call for, distribute (tasks among others), charge (someone with a responsibility), specify (tasks), engage (others), secure (deputies), call together, put someone on a task
figure out, order, convene, protect, strategize, act as, call attention to, pen, direct, pass, funnel, assess, oversee, delegate, mobilize, govern, relegate, brief, found, decide, veto, network, head, channel, rule, police, lobby, legislate, assemble (a team), take charge, manage (a project), nominate, appoint, decode, summon, author, name (issues), appoint (deputies), field (requests), grant (interviews), chair, bridge (differences), speak to (issues), solve (problems), press for, orate, deploy, bring to the attention of, accord (power), assemble (stakeholders to solve problems), officiate, lead (progress meetings)
prize, applaud, plaster, tweet, reward, deify, attribute, gush, value, award, admire, credit, praise, honor, revere, commend, esteem, recognize, distinguish, venerate, commemorate, memorialize, pay tribute, congratulate, worship, respect, validate, treasure, acclaim, dedicate, set apart/above, put on a pedestal, extol the virtues of, name one's baby after, stick (a lawn sign), blog
model, benefit from, rocket, set apart, impress, finesse, vitalize, capitalize on, breathe new life into, dignify, stand out, deserve, peak, triumph, conscientize, father, win the support of, consort, stand up/for, stand strong (in the face of), refuse to (buckle), lower (standards), ride on the coattails of
seize, brush aside, compromise, dictate, strut, crow, trot out, dominate, evade, cover up, swagger, front, trick, bribe, sell out, bluff, exaggerate, polarize, scheme, rescind, vacillate, parry, take over, monopolize, escalate, dicker, pander, campaign, waffle, lobby, brag, drag one's feet, recant, dither, instigate, miscalculate, mudsling, misspend (public money), march off, bash (the press), throw mud, score points (with special interest groups), exploit (one's position), promise (more than one can deliver), smoothtalk, fire up, overpromise
tackle, fabricate, devise, brave, compromise, blaze, impress, front, originate, orchestrate, take over, succeed, revitalize, vitalize, serve, motivate, innovate, bring together, inspire, unite, trump, upstage, soldier on, win the respect of (constituents), speak out/up, eclipse (one's opponents), de-escalate (tensions), campaign (for a cause), show (compassion), fire up
squash, bust, crush, hover, suppress, dominate, overpower, corner, stalk, bear down, menace, threaten, block, hijack, impose, squelch, censor, forbid, coerce, berate, scare, blackmail, harass, terrorize, bully, provoke, frighten, loom, disconcert, interrogate, tail, torment, goad, antagonize, bark (orders), censure, harangue, blacklist, victimize, hector
broadcast, hold, plug, suppress, tweet, trumpet, hide, post, conceal, leak, distort, announce, spin, schedule, divulge, mislead, persuade, dissemble, deflect, sidestep, correct, report, argue, publicize, disseminate, tout, influence, reveal, disclose, explain, state, issue (a statement), defend (a position), advertise (one's accomplishments), make known, make public, put out (an announcement), spread (a rumor), time (the release of information), call (a press conference), issue (press release), prepare (a press release), draft (a press release), mold (public opinion), misinform
strangle, smother, manipulate, fire, boot out, replace, suppress, dictate, charge, hide, dominate, overpower, bear down, menace, threaten, conceal, cover up, paper over, plot, exploit, commandeer, tip off, outwit, scheme, conspire, pay off, hijack, intrude, co-opt, invalidate, pressure, suspend, filibuster, cross, cut off, forestall, throttle, stifle, obstruct, deprive, repress, sack, monopolize, coerce, mandate, stipulate, mete out, step on, break (a promise/trust), scuttle (a plan), intimidate, foist, tempt, blackmail, subordinate, pull rank, play off, bend (rules), decry, stonewall, eliminate, override, bastardize, shut out, lambaste, ram through
boost, supply, parcel out, assist, protect, dole out, reward, endow, award, back, recommend, designate, capitalize, fund, support, grant, allot, guarantee, incentivize, affiliate, found, loan, invest, bail out, contribute, donate, lend, apportion, benefit, bestow, champion, undertake, pledge, stand up for, sanction, validate, exact, accord, tithe, co-found, nominate, advocate, author, impart, stake (one's reputation on), bear (the cost), father, earmark (funds), cover the cost of, lend (one's name to), dedicate (time/money), bequeath (a portion of one's estate), devote (resources to)
force, crush, bar, dictate, trammel, subject, catch, dominate, overpower, curb, subdue, command, control, exploit, claim, scheme, impinge on/upon, censor, stifle, deprive, deny, ban, limit, take over, oppress, demand, subjugate, foist, compel, subordinate, harass, persecute, wear down, violate (civil rights), lock up/away, perpetrate, disarm, insist, beleaguer, mete out (punishment), decree, flatten (the opposition), block (information), plague (people with regulations), crack down on, restrict (freedom of movement/speech), thwart (internet communications), track (electronic communications), impose (restrictions), overturn (laws), undermine (efforts at self-determination), lord over
force, chain, round up, restrain, confine, trail, sabotage, tax, waylay, hinder, impede, obstruct, shut off/down, sequester, accost, blockade, quarantine, lock up, incarcerate, imprison, detain, shut in, lay siege, besiege, restrict (movement), block (voters via roadblocks), close off/down, enslave, fetter, hold captive, place (under house arrest), fence in/out, tariff
slam, charge, attack, libel, slander, defame, vilify, backstab, disparage, slur, insult, smear, malign, blame, allege, denigrate, reproach, inveigh against, denounce, lambaste, accuse, excoriate, fault, affront, mudsling, censure, defile, dig up, muckrake, foment, deprecate, calumniate, rake over the coals, sully (one's reputation)
brush aside, shrug, wave, degrade, tear down, mock, overlook, ignore, disregard, tease, cast off, gloss over, dare, invalidate, reject, spurn, demoralize, marginalize, chastise, condescend, discount, patronize, snub, turn on/against, decry, disparage, ridicule, insult, revile, smear, rebuff, repudiate, pronounce, trivialize, joke, demean, humiliate, ostracize, dismiss, pity, feel sorry for, look down on, discredit, put down, belittle, denigrate, deride, embolden, grin, smirk, scorn, sneer, snicker, snigger, taunt, infantilize, castigate, slight, scoff at, shun, snort at, amuse oneself (at someone's expense), laugh at, toss aside/out, refuse (to engage), jilt, disdain, treat with contempt, cold shoulder, parody, speak down to, knock down a rung (on the social ladder), savage
handle, settle, lubricate, devise, protect, scheme, accommodate, grant, donate, gift, bestow, introduce, ensure, exonerate, aid, transport, arrange (a deal), slip (information), clear the way, grease the skids, broker (a plan), ease (someone's way), exempt (someone from fulfilling a duty), secure (a position), hand out (a badge), hook up with, make something go away, buffalo
secure, protect, enclose, shepherd, hide, flank, conceal, cover, screen, guarantee, save, patronize, fortify, shield, forge (an alliance), strong-arm, guard, safeguard, shelter, hold off, escort, arm, keep out, offer (sanctuary/asylum), heighten (security), assign (a bodyguard), seal off, circle (a group with police), patrol, harbor, provide (sanctuary), fend off (marauders), spare, provide (new identity), sentinel
cast off/out, bar, replace, order, dismantle, suppress, infiltrate, restrain, overtake, curb, recall, foil, douse, direct, finesse, cancel, abort, restrict, filibuster, thwart, hinder, impede, deter, squelch, prohibit, prevent, impinge on/upon, censor, stifle, deprive, cripple, disable, reject, deny, ban, forbid, ward off, stave off, limit, repress, regulate, demand, prevail, mandate, scuttle (a plan), phase out, refuse, stonewall, overturn, veto, abolish, override, stunt, resist, rebuff, repel, isolate, police, outlaw, pardon, exclude, rule (illegal), force (out), push out/away, choke off (funding), subject (to regulation), render (impotent), defang
score, certify, manumit (slaves), authenticate, back, promote, orchestrate, intervene, authorize, facilitate, mandate, stipulate, steward, expedite, release, sponsor, enforce, levy, champion, reform, foster, allocate (funds), influence, garner (support), testify, usher in, bring to bear, ensure, enact, appoint, summon, exercise (influence), broker (a deal), smooth out (disagreements), tap into (one's base), settle (a dispute), assert (one's leverage), impel, assign (staff to work on an issue), dignify (a cause), pass (a resolution), preside over, call up/on
dump, bar, remove, blot out, obliterate, exploit, ditch, mastermind, rescind, prohibit, reject, ban, sack, monopolize, subjugate, wipe out, decline, refuse, stonewall, eliminate, abolish, rebuff, repudiate, persecute, trivialize, terminate, deny (rights), exclude, impose (restrictions), throw out, excommunicate, turn down/away, relegate (to obscurity), consign (to menial tasks), expunge (from the record), leave out, keep out, erase (select parts of history), expropriate, counteract (instincts)
force, yank, defenestrate, evict, expel, deport, boot out, scatter, order, unseat, overpower, orchestrate, rout, displace, marginalize, purge, line up, eliminate, cleanse, beat back, expunge, repel, segregate, ostracize, turn away, overthrow, punish, drive out, shear (of power/belongings), cast out, throw out, banish, resettle (refugees on less desirable land), strand, excommunicate
oust, topple, dismantle, knock down/over, compromise, unseat, sabotage, subvert, impair, undermine, ruin, doom, defeat, cripple, damage, conquer, displace, take down, undercut, overturn, lay waste, rebel, defy, depose, revolt, overthrow, bring down, rise up, remove (from office/power), strip of (power/resources), dethrone, mutiny
discern, discriminate, think for oneself, set oneself apart, think, practice what one preaches, practice (restraint), take the high road, follow (a moral path), practice (mindfulness), open one's heart, use one's mind, treat others well, work hard, expect (chaos/challenges), keep one's head up, show compassion, man up, disavow
chip away, assault, blindside, demolish, destroy, break, overrun, obliterate, scar, flood, drain, contaminate, sabotage, pay off, ransack, ruin, sap, suck out, spoil, eradicate, annihilate, snuff out, exterminate, impoverish, enervate, reduce to, blight, overdo, lambaste, infect, punish, inflict, lay siege, besiege, strip (a cathedral of its art and gold), deplete (stocks/supplies), bleed (dry)
stir, bait, threaten, arouse, intensify, bribe, tip off, convince, persuade, propagandize, lure, sway, escalate, argue, entice, tempt, pump up, provoke, inflame, insult, incense, rouse, aggravate, exacerbate, madden, needle, instigate, affront, arm, foment, anger, incite, pit against, promise, pay (mercenaries), push (one's buttons), rile (up), enrage, infuriate, whip (into a frenzy), twist (one's words)